Summary

“Sol Painting, Inc.” written by Meg Medina, centers on 12-year-old Merci, who is also the narrator of the story. She is riding in Papi’s van with her older brother, Roli. Papi is a professional painter, who is having his two children help him during their summer vacation from school. Thinking of the coming school year, Merci notes how she is a daydreamer who is more interested in taking over Papi’s business than academics. Roli, meanwhile, is a straight-A student who is always happy to show off his book smarts during conversation. Merci is nervous because she will be attending Seaward Pines in the fall, the same school as Roli. It’s a fancy private school on the other side of West Palm Beach that requires a uniform and strict structure.

Papi tells his kids that their assignment for the day...